Conveyer



March 26,- 1940.,v A J. E. REGAN Ycorwmum Filed sept. 25, 1957 9sheets-sheet 1` 95 2i jg;

March 26, 1940. J, E, REGAN 2,194,912

v corwEzER Filed Sept. 25, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 26, 1940. .1. E.REGAN 2,194,912

GONVEYER Filed Sept. 25, 1937 9 SheeiS-Sheet 5 J. E. REGAN .March 26,1940,

' convmma Filed sept. 25. 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 NQN March 26, 1940. J;E, REGAN 2,194,912

CONVEYER Filed Sept. 25, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 j ji? I i? j# 4'? 155 157lalf. 14'? j@ March 2s, 1940. J, E, REGAN y 52,194,912

A Ms;

March 26, 1940. A J. E. REGAN coNvEYER Filed sept.A 25, 1937 9Sheets-Sheet 8 Ang@ J. E. REGAN 2,194,912

CONVEYER Filed sept. 25, 19:57 9 sneet-sneet 9 March 26, 1940.

Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONVEYER John E.Regan, Syracuse, N. Y., assigner to The Lamson Company, Syracuse, N. Y.,a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 25, 1937, SerialNo. 165,719

l'l Claims. (Cl. 214-11) This invention relates to an improvement inconveyers and more particularly to means for controlling the loading andunloading of conveyer cars.

One object of this invention is to provide means under control of anoperator whereby loads placed upon a. car are delivered by that car at apredetermined unloading station; such means comprising a plurality oftabs at a despatching station and a plurality of dogs on the car,certain such tabs being set by the operator to trip certain of the dogson the car and the tripped dogs upon the arrival of the car at theselected unloading station, actuating the unloading mechanism at thatstation to remove the load from the car.

Another object of this invention is the provision at each loadingstation of a tab set automatically upon the operation of the loadingmechanism thereat to trip a dog on the car and thereby designate suchcar as one carrying a load and at each unloading station a tabautomatically set, upon the arrival of a carcarrying a load destined forthat station, to restore the tripped dog on the car to its normalcondition whereby car selective device element illustrating twopositions taken by movable parts thereof;

Fig. 12 is a front .elevational view of another selective device elementat each loading station; Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the upperportion of such element;

Figs. 14 and 15 are sectional views of two de 'vice elements at eachloading station;

Fig. 21 is a schematic view illustrating the electrical details of eachloading stationy Fig. 22 is a wiring diagram of such details;

Fig. 23 is a schematic view illustrating the electrical details of eachunloading station; and

Fig. 24 is a wiring diagram of such details. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention n).- the car is no longer designated as onecarrying I have selected a conveyer system comprising a a load. conveyerof the overhead type, the cars of which Other objects of this inventionrelate to the are adaptedto transport loads, a plurality of structureand operation of the tab mechanism loading stations, each including anelevator by 3 at the station,'the structure and operation of the whichloads are fed to the cars and a selective loading and unloadingmechanism associated with device by which the destinations of the loadsfed the conveyer and other details and interrelation to the cars arepredetermined and a plurality of as may be hereinafter set forth.unloading stations each including anelevator by These objects willappear from 'a consdel'atn which the loads are removed from the car. It

,5 of the following description and of the accomwillbeunderstood,however, thatIam not limited Danying drawings Which form a part thereofand thereto since the invention may be used in sysin which: tems ofother types.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view illus- The selected system, asshown in Fig. 1, comtrating a conveyer system wherein this inventionprises a conveyer 25 of the overhead type inis embodied; cluding aplurality of cars 26, a plurality of load- Fig- 2 iS a View in DartelevatiOn 0f a typical ing stations |00, and a plurality of unloadingstaloading station of that system; tions 300. The loads are placed uponthe cars.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the upper por- 26 at the loadingstations |00 and are delivered tion of such station; at the desiredunloading stations 30|) through 1.-, Fig. 4 iS a View 0f an element 0fSuch Station in the action of selector tabs ||i| set by the loading aposition Other than that ShOWH in Fig. 2; operator upon dogs 55 carriedby the cars.

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the elevator carriage il- The cars 26 aresupported and continuously lustrating its relation to the walls of theelevator advanced by a, chain 21 suitably supported and Well; driven bysuitable power means and guided by n Fig. 6 is an end elevational viewof the carpairs 0f tracks 28 and 29. Supported by the tracks riage;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation thereof, a portion being broken away;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation on an enlarged scale of one of the selectivedevice elements at each loading station and of the selective deviceelement on each conveyer car;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of such station selective device element;

Figs. 10 and l1 are sectional plan views of the 28 are plates 30 whichserve to steady the cars particularly at the turns.- Plates 3| securedto the undersides of the tracks 29 close the openings below the carsexcept at the loading and unloading stations. Openings 32 are providedin the plates 3| in advance of each station for a purpose which will bedescribed below.

Each car 26 (see Figs. 2 and 3) comprises a pair of flanged bars 35extending along each side at the bottom, a pair of tubes 36 at the topand end of each tube 36 is a post 40 carrying a roller 4|. The rollersY4| ride in the tracks 28 and act with casters 42, 43 and 44 to steadythe car and, when occasions arise, to prevent -undue tipping thereof.lThe casters 42 are carried by the posts 40. The casters 43 are carriedby brackets 45 secured to the bars 3l at the base of the posts J 3". Thecasters 44 are carried by posts 46 secured to the bars 36 adjacent eachend thereof.

'I'he rolers and casters serve to steady the cars `and hold them againstundue tipping. Should such condition arise the rollers 4| will rideagainst the flanges of the tracks 28, the casters 42 will ride againstthe plates 30, the casters 43 against the tracks 23 and the casters 44against the plate 3|. At the top of eachcar are provided cam bars 41 and40 supported at their ends upon the two outer rods 38. The loads rest attheir ends upon the flanged bars 35 for transportation 26 by the cars.

Mounted at one side of the car 23 substantially' ing extendlongitudinally therethrough, the rod 53 carrying a plurality of dogs 66having bushings and movable independently about the rod. Each dog 36is-a plate irregular in formation 40 having concave depressions 56 and61 in-its opposite ends. The depression 66 is reinforced by a flange 68which extends over the edge 58, connecting the depressions. Each dog isnormally held by a spring in the position shown i'n Fig. 45 10 with thewall 6| of the depression 3 6 projecting from the housing. A boss 82 onthe dog surrounds the `rod 63 and from it projects a pawl 63 and aflanged limit stop 64. The dogs are preferably though not necessarily'integral in lo construction as here shown. Carried by the rod Y 64 are aplurality of independently movable latches. one for each dog. Each latch66 is J-shaped and comprises a linger 66 stiffened at its outer end by aflange 61, a boss 68 which surrounds the rod 54 and an arm 63terminating at its outer end in a head '|8. A spring holds Vthe head 18at all time: in contact with the boss 62 of the dog. Y When, as the caris traveling in the direction o0 indicated-by the arrows 12 on Figs. 10and 11, the wall 6| of a dog S6 in its normal position is brought by thetravel of the car into contact with a stationary element, it is tripped.and swings into the position shown in 1l with 85 thelimit'stop 64 incontact with one side wall of the housing 3| and the edgeV 58 of the dogprojecting. The dog is held in this position by the head I0 of the latch66 which engages the pawl and remains in that position until the nger 36is tripped, as the car continues its travel, whereupon the dog 56 isrestored by its spring 6l to normal position. v

Each loading station |00 comprises a frame which denes an elevatorshaft, an elevator car- 15 riage which is reciprocate: in che shaft bysuit- Carried by the able power means, a load-feeding platform by whichloads are placed upon the elevator carriage and a selective device bywhich the destinations ofthe loads delivered to the cars are de-,termined.-

'I'he station frame which comprises a suitable number of uprights 0| andcross beams |32, supports the conveyer car tracks 23 and 23 and thetrack |83 from which the conveyer chain 21 is suspended, and by whichthe chain is guided. l0

The elevator carriage |05 (see Figs. 5, 6 and '1) comprises a transversebeam |06,l a platform consisting of two spaced, longitudinal beams |31supported upon a second transverse beam |03 carried by the beam |06 andilxed in position by Il braces |83 and angle bars ||0 and vertical anglebeams secured to the ends of the beam |06. Fixed in a notch in the beamA|06 at each end thereof and within the angle of the vertical beams is ablock ||2 having an opening ||3 n at the upper end thereof accessiblefrom outside 4the carriage through notches ||4 in the beams The ends ofthe elevator chains Il! are secured to the carriage |66 by the blocks||2 and lie in the angles oi' the beams III... Secured to u each beam isa bar I|6 spaced from the beam I by a filler ||1 to provide outsidepockets ||3.

- The pockets H8 receive angle beams ||0 secured to the crossbeams |02of the frame and thus the vertical travel ofthe carriage is guided. Se-0 `cured to beam |06 near the beams are U- shaped brackets |20 carryingpins |2| and springs |22 which normally hold the `pins in a raisedposition. Fixed to thej bars ||6 near the top thereof are cam-plates|23. u

The chains lli pass over the sprockets |26 on a shaft |26 suitablysupported at the top of the frame and driven by amotor |21 throughgearing |28. 'Ihe other ends of the chains ||5 are attached tocounterweights |30 guided in their verl tical travel in shafts by angles|3| fixed to the elevator frame. At the top and bottom of thecounterweight shafts are spring bumpers |32 and |33. 'I'he bumpers |33are so set that when fully depressed by the counterweights |30 (see Fig.4) a the chain ||5 is slackened. This allows the force of gravity to actdirectly on the carriage and exert a-braking effect which opposes thenormal tendency of the carriage to iloat or coast so that the carriagestops almost immediately when it o reaches the top of the well.

'I'he loads are fed to the carriage by an inclined platform |36 (seeFigs. 16, 17 and 18) consisting of a'gravity roller conveyer. Theplatform within the elevator well is divided into sections spaced uapart to permit the passage of the beams |06 and |01 ofthe' elevatorcarriage therebetween, eachsection `comprising a plurality of idlerrollers |36. Stop pins 31 carried by the elevator frame projeot out intothe spaces between the outer seew tions at the entrance to the well andcontrol the entry of loads to the well. The pins |31 are normally heldin the raised operative position by springs |30. Carried by each pin |31is an arm |38 which projects into the pathof the carriage. 05 'I'he pins|31 are depressed to admit a load when the carriage has descended by thecontact of the beams |31 with thearrns |36 (see Fig. 17).

In orderthat loads of various sizes be properly vlocated on theVelevator carriage it is necessary 70 to provide means `by which theloads will be positioned in the well over the beams |01 with regard totheir length.- Such means are here shown as comprising a fixed stop |40and rollers |4| and |42'arranged between the stop |40 and the center 75of thev elevator well and released when the loads are entirely withinthe well. The rollers are actuated by electrical means controlled by aswitch ably held by spring means (not shown) in the full line positionindicated in Fig. 18 with the rollers |4| and |42 rvnormally in the pathof travel of the loads. The armsv |45 are connected by a crossbar |48secured at the middle to the plunger |49 of a solenoid |50. The arms |46are in the vertical planes of the arms |45 and carry ears |5| positionedto contact ears |52 on the arms |45.

'I'he switch |43 and solenoid`|50 are elements of an electric circuit(not shown) which is normally open. The switch|43 is of the circuitmaker type and when tripped by a load the circuit is closed and thesolenoid energized lowering the arms |45 to depress the rollers |4 Asthe arms |45 are lowered the ears |52 thereon contact with the ears onthe arms |46 so that.

the latter arms are also lowered andthe rollers |42 depressed. As soonas the load passes the switch |43 is released and the circuit is broken,deenergizing the solenoid |50 andreleasing the arms |45 and |46whereupon the rollers 4| and |42 are returned to their normal positionsby the yieldable means. The travelvof the load is theren upon checked bythe rollers |42, or |4| or the stop |40 depending upon its position whenthe switch was released. Obviously if the load was over the rollers |4|and 42, such rollers would be prevented from rising into its path untilthe load had been removed by the carriage, if over the rollers |42, therollers |4| would rise and check rits further travel, and if it had notreached the rollers |42 they would act to stop the load. 'I'he positionstaken by theloads are suggested on Fig. 18, the shortest load beingindicated by full lines, the longest load by dash and two dot lines, andthe intermediate load by dash and dot lines.

As the load passes over the platform of the carriage it closes a switch|54 and holds it closed until the carriage starts its upward travel.This switch prevents the raising of the carriage when empty or if theload is not placed properly thereon. In place of the single switch shownin Fig. I6, indicated in the `wiring diagram on Fig. 22, two or moreswitches may be provided.

The elevator carriage |05 is caused to rise and deliver its load to acar 26 bythe motor |21 actuated by electrically controlledinstrumentalities as will be set forth herebelow. The destinations of.the loads are determined by a selective device controlled by theoperator. One element 50 of that device is mounted upon each car26 andhas been described in detail. Another element |55 of the device includesa housing |56 supported uponv the frame of the overhead conveyer 25 inadvance of the loading station.

'I'he housing |56 (see Figs. 2, 3, 8 and 9) comprises a pair of spacedvertical angle posts |51 secured at top and bottom to the conveyer frameby brackets |58, is closed at the outer side by a cover plate |59 and isopen at the inner side. Mounted upon each face of `each post` |51 are aplurality of vertically spaced solenoids |60. A plurality of tabs |6|are pivoted at |62 to the posts, each tab being connected at one end bya link |63 to the plunger |64 of a solenoid |60.-

The other end of'each tab carries a roller |85 and Aprojects through theopen side of the housing. As shown in Fig. 8 the tabs |6| are normally,.i. e., wh'en the solenoids are deenergized, out of the path of travelof the cars but when actuated by the solenoids the tabs are swung sothat the rollers |65 will trip dogs 55 of the elements 50 on the cars.In the illustrated embodiment the car element 50 is shown provided withtwelve dogs 55 and the element |55 is provided with eleven tabs |6|.`-The tabsy |6| are so positioned vthat when set they will trip all exceptthe top dog which, as will be -described later, indicates whether thecar is loaded or empty.

The energizing of the solenoids |60 to set they tabs |6| is controlledby the operator at the station through an element |10, mounted at eachloading station in any position convenient for the operator. As hereshown, it is mounted upon the elevator frame above the feeding platform.`The .element (see Figs. 12 and 13) comprises a housing |1|, providedwith dial |12 over which may be moved armsy |13, |14. Projecting throughthe housing at the center of the dialsare the ends of a shaft and asleeve |16 which encloses the shaft, and the'inner ends of the arms |13,|14 are secured to the shaft |15 and sleeve |16 respectively. 'I'heshaft |15 extends through a wall 11 parallel to the dial 12 and upon itsinner end is secured a ratchet |18. A `suitably supported latch |19 isheld by a spring |80 in contact with the periphery of the ratchet |18 toprevent its rotation in one direction, clock- -wisc in Fig. 14. Pivotedat one end to the latch with the pin. Mounted below the solenoid |85 isa switch |89 comprising two spring plates |90 and |9| carried at theirinner ends by a support |92 of suitable dielectric material. The outerend of the plate |9f| is connected to the lower'end of a plunger |93reciprocable in a bushing |94. 'I'he upper end of theplunger projectsabove the bushing. Carried by the shaft |15 is a pin |95 which, when thearm |13 is in the full line position shown in Fig; 12, depresses theplunger andA separates the plates. Obviously the rotation of the shaftto move the arm |13 out of this position causes the pin |95 to releasethe plunger, wherel upon the plate |9| raises the plunger and,contacting with the plate |90, closes the switch |89.

In the face of the Wall |11, nearest the dial |12 are embedded aplurality of contact 'posts |96 arranged in a circle and spaced .apartso that the contact parts have a definite relation to the numbers on thedial. Fixed to theshaft |15 is pin (not shown) adaptedk to registersuccessively' with the contact posts |96. `A ratchet 20| carried by thesleeve and a pawl 202 held yieldably in mesh therewith by a spring 203determines the positions which the sleeve will. take. The ratchetrandpawl are so formed that the sleeve 4 can be rotated freelyin eitherdirection (see Fig. 15). It will be noted that the arms |15 andv |14 areso positioned that the arm,|14 must at all times-lead. Moreover as willbe pointed out below, in the description of the operation of thisdevice, the arms |15 and |14 not only control the condition of thesolenoids l|55 and insure that two solenoids must be energized at thesame time' but also upon the delivery of a load to a car, the arm |15 isreturned automatically to the upright .position shown in Fig. l2, thearm I 14 however remaining asset until manually shifted.

Each loading station A(see Fig. 2l) is provided with a panel 255equipped with three switches arranged for manual operation, a start-stopswitch 2|5, an up switch'2II and a down switchA 2| 2, alintel switch 2|5 which is tripped by contact with an improperly placed load to stop theelevator and a switch 2|5 by which'the operator can start or stop themotor of the overhead conveyor 25. Y y

'I'he unloading stations 555 are generally similar in structure to theloading stations and the elements thereof are identical with the corre-Aspending elements of the loading stations, except the unloading platformand the electrical control features. Such elements therefore will not bedescribed in detail and where shown on the drawings will bedesignated.by numerals which correspond to the numerals applied to such elements ofthe loading stations, for example the carriage 555, the motor 521, andthe platform 555.

Loads removed from the cars are delivered to a platform 555 the portionof which within the l elevator' well being divided, as is the platform|55 of the loading stations, into sections spaced apart to permit thebeams of the elevator carriage to pass down between the sections andthus deliver the loads to the platform. 'I'he platform 555, like theplatform is inclined and comprises a gravity roller conveyor by whichtheV loads leave the well. 'Ihe upward movement of the carriage 555after delivering a load must obviously be delayed until the load hasleft the 7 well and this is insured by the provision of switches 555,555 and 551. The load on the platform trips and opens one or more of theswitches and as will'be pointed out later the carriage can not beelevated as long as any ofthe switches is open. v l

Each unloading stations is provided with a panel 355 provided with threemanually operable switches, to wit a start-stop switch 55I,an up switch552 and a down switch 555, and a switch 555 by which the motor of theconveyor 25 can ben started or stopped.

The operation of the illustrated conveyor` system embodying thisinvention will now be described with reference to the placing of a loadupon a car 25 of the continuously traveling conveyor 25 at a typicalloading station |50 and the delivery of that load at a typical unloadingstation 555 to which the load was despatched' by the operator.

'I'he operator rst sets the tabs |5| of the element 55 through theelement |15 so that they will trip those dogs 55 of the car to be loadedwhich insure the delivery of the load at the selected unloading station.This operation will be explained with reference to the diagram on Fig.20. In that diagram are indicated not only the wiring for the elements|55 and |15 at the station but also the wiring for another elementsimilar to the element |10 which may be located at other points as forexample on a despatch board. The element |15 at the station will bereferred to as the local element and the other element as the remoteelement. By the dial 455 -the local or remote element is selected. 'Ihedial 45| is let according to whether a single load or a plurality ofloads are to be despatched to the same unloading station. The solenoids|55 of element |55 are connected to the corresponding contact postsv |55by leads 455 and are connected to a common return lead 455 by leads 451.The contact pins |55 are connected by a lead 455 to the local post ofthe dial 455. The current enters the element |55 through a trunk lead4I5 and leaves through a trunk lead'4I I.

Assuming that a single load is to be sent to that station and that thecontrol is to be exercised by the local element, the flnger 452 of thedial 455 and the finger 455 of the dial 45| are set as shown in fulllines on Fig. 20. 'I'he arms |15 and I 14 are then moved over the dialto positions at which they are held by the latch |15 and pawl 252,respectively. As shown in dotted lines on Figs. 12 and 20, the arm |15is at position 5 and lthe arm |14 is at position 5. Thus is setup a -andis completed when the switch is closed so z that the selected solenoids|55 are energized. The solenoid |55 is connected to the trunk lead 4|5through leads 42|, 422 and to the tnmk lead 4|| through leads 425, 424,dial 45|, leads 425.

' 425, switch 455 and lead 45|. The Switch 455 is, 1

like the switch 425 normally open, and this circuit is completed whenthe switch is closed to energize the solenoid.

Both switches l425 and 455 are closed by the elevator carriage |55, theformer during its upward travel and the latter during its downwardtravel. Hence only when the carriage is on its upward travel with a loadare the tabs |5| set and only after the carriage has delivered its loadand is descending is the solenoid |55 energized ,t .to raise the latch|15 and permit the arm |15 to return to its normal position. If,however, morethan one load is to be sent -to the same unloading `stationthe finger 455 of the dial 45| is shifted to the dotted line positionthereby.; breaking the circuit .and preventing the ener-l glzing of thesolenoid |55 by the closure of the switch 455 as the carriage descends.Aresetswitch 452 is provided, by which thesolenoid |55 can be energizedas desired at any time. The closure, of the switch 452 by-passes theswitch 455 by connecting the lead 425 directly with the trunk lead 4through leads 455, switch 452 and lead ment the finger 452 of the dial455 is shifted to the dotted line position. The remote element isactuated in the same manner as the local element |15 and need not bedescribed in detail.Y

The parts of the remote -element are indicated t travels in the elevatorwell.. However, the car- 1 riage can not be operated unless 'theselective device has been previously set. Thisinterlocking is attainedthrough the switch |55 the plates 55 and |5| of which are only incontact when,

as previously pointed out, the arm |15 has been 1 If the tabs |5| are tobe set at the remote elee shifted from its normal inoperative position.The closure of the switch |89 connects the leads 435 and 436 which playan essential part in the operation of the elevator motor |21. Theautomatic vreturn ofthe arm |13 to its normal posi- -tion o f rest andthe consequent -opening of the -switch |89 is 'of vadvantage since itremoves the possibility of inadvertent operation of the elevator motor|21 and the inadvertent de'spatching of a load to the moving unloadingstation. That the arm |14 remains in'any position until moved manuallyis not so objectionable since it plays no part in the operation of theelevator motor.

Referringto the diagram on Fig. 22 and assuming that the switch 2|0 atpanel 209' is set to the start position, that the switches |53 and |54are closed,'the latter by a properly placed load, and that the element|10 has been set to close the switch |89 and connect theleads 435 and436, the electrical controls for the operation of the carriage will bedescribed.

The motor |21 is reversible and supplied with power from a trunk linecomprising leads 450,-

lays is energized the switch-controlled thereby is thrown in and themotor |21 moves the carriage in the 'desired direction.

As an empty car 26 approaches the loading station the top dog 55 thereonwhich has been set to designate that thel car is empty trips and closesa normally open 4switch 440 whereupon circuits, which start the motor|21 and cause it to raise the elevator carriage |05 with its loadthereon, are completed. The relay 446 is energized to throw the upswitch 445 by the following circuit traced from the trunk lead 450,branch lead 455, lead 456, switch 2|0, lead 451, lintel switch 2|3,leads 458, 459,`switch 440 closed by dog 55, normally closed switch 44|,lead 460, switch |53, lead 46|, switch |54, leads 462, 453, relay 445,lead 464, normallyclosed switch 225, lead 436, switch |89 at selectiveelement |10, leads 435, 455, 465 and 461 to trunk leadY 45|. Since theswitch 440 is closed only for a short time (as long as the traveling dogis in contact therewith) a holding circuit is established whichby-passes the switch 440 and continues the energizing of the relay 446which is necessary to keep the up switch 445 closed. Such circuitiscom'- pleted by the bar 469 on the switch 445 and consists of trunk lead450, branch lead 455, lead 455, switch 2|0, lead 451, switch 2|3, leads450, 458, switch bar 459, leads 410, 453, relay 446, lead 454, switch225, lead 436, switch |89, leads 435, 455, 456, 461 and trunk lead 45|.

'I'he elevator carriage |05 is thereupon raised in the well to such vaposition .that the load thereof is above the bars 3 5 of the empty car25, which |50 of the selective element.|55 and setting thev tabs |5| ina position to trip and set the dogs 55 of the car 26 which is to receivethe load.

When the carriage |05 Vreaches the upper end of itsv path it trips andholds `closed a switch 226, and as the car 26 reaches the center of thewell, one of the cam bars thereon trips and closes a switchV 221 therebycompleting a'circuit by which 5 the motor |21 is started to lower thecarriage and deliver the load thereon upon the flanged bars 35 of thecar by the energizing of the relay 415. Such circuit comprises trunk`lead 450, branch lead 455, lead 456, switch 2|0, lead 451, switch 2|3,leads 458, 459, 411, car tripped switch 221, lead 418, carriage trippedswitch 226, leads 419, 488, 48|, relay 416. lead'482, normally closedswitch 230, leads 483, 455, 466, 461 and trunklead 45|. 'Ihe closure ofthedown switch 415.starts 15 the motor |21' andthe carriage descends.'The switches 221 andj226 which open as soon asthe car passes on vand thecarriage starts its descent are by-passed by the following holdingcircuitl which is completed through the unsure or the zo Vswitch 415 andcomprises trunk lead 450, branch lead 455, lead 456, switch`2 I0, lead451, switch 2|3, leads 458, 458, 485,bar 481.on switch 415, leads 488,48|, relay'416, lead 482, switch 230, leads 483, 465, 455,-451 andtrunklead 45|.

As the carriage descends it trips and closes the .switch 430 of theselective-device element 10,

whereupon as shown in Fig. 20the circuit of the solenoid is completed,if the dial 40| is set for a single load, and energized to. raise thelatch 30 |19 and retln'n the arm |13 to its normal position opening theswitch.|89. The carriage |05 as it reaches the bottom of the well, tripsand opens the switch 239 thus breaking the holding circuit through relay416, and opening the down switch 415 to stop the motor |21.

'Ihe .car 26 now advances with its load along its path'of travel andsince it is no longer empty the upper dog 55 set thereon, by which theswitch 440 was tripped and closed, must be restored to its normalposition. This is done by means of a tab, not shown, actuated by asolenoid 431, similar tofthe solenoids |60 of the selective deviceelement |55. The solenoid 431 (see Fig. 20) is connected to the trunklead 4|0 through the lead 438 andto the solenoid return lead.406 throughlead 439. The closure of the switch 420 lby the carriage as it ascendswill therefore energize the solenoid 431 actuating the tab so that itwill -trip the latch 55 ofthe upper dog 55 and allow itto resume itsnormal position. 'Ihe car 26 A`will thereafter pass through loadingstations with-l out tripping the switches 440 and continue undisturbeduntil it reaches the unloading station 55 to which its load is destined.

In order to prevent collision between the car 25 and an elevator`carriage |05, there are provided in the motor drive circuit of theoverhead conveyer 25 a pair o'f normally closed switches 490 and 49|mounted in parallel, as shown in-Fig. 22. The switch 490 is tripped andopenedby a cam bar on each car 26 as it approaches a loading station andthe switch 49| 'is tripped and opened by the'elevator carriage as itenters the path of travel of the car. Should both these switches bevopen at the Asame time, the motor drive circuit of the overhead conveyerwould be broken and the conveyer would stop. The operator observing thiscan stop the motor |21 by actuating the switch 2|0 which, as pointed outabove, is an-essential element of each of the relay circuits. When allthese switches 2|0, 490 and 49| have so shifted they vcomplete a signalcircuit comprising lead 492, switch 490, lead 493, 75.

switch 45|, lead 454, switch 2|5 and lead 455 by which bulbs 455 arelighted. n i

,'Ihe travel of the elevator carriage |55 has been heretofore describedas dependent upon the arrival at its station of those cars 25 whichclose the normally open switches 445 and 2,21. Means, however, have beenprovided by which switches are by-passed so that the operator can raiseor lower .the carriage independently'of the l0 conveyer 25 andregardless of the presence of a load thereon. If the carriage is toberaised, the operator sets'the arms .|15, |14 ofthe selective deviceelement in any off-.normalposition in order to close the switch |55 andcloses the start 15 switch 2|'5 and up switch 2| therebyV the relay 445by completingthe following circuit; trunk lead 455, branch lead 455,lead 455, switch 2|5, lead 451, switch 2|5, lead 451, switch 2||, leads455, 452, 455| relay445, lead 454,- switch 225, lead 455, switch |55,leads |55, 455, 455, 451,

trunk lead The upward travel ofthe carriage thus started will continueuntil the switch 225 is tripped and opened by the carriage. If thecarriage is to be lowered, the stop switch 2|5 2li and down switch 2|2are closed to completefa circuit which energizes the relay 415 and whichcan be traced as follows: -Trunk lead-455, branch lead 455, lead 455,switch 2|5, lead 451, switch 2|5, lead 451, switch 2|2, leads 455, 455,45|, relay 415, lead 452, switch 255, leads 455, 455, 455, 451. mainline lead 45|. This downward travel of the carriage will continue untilthe carriageI trips and switch 255. 'Ihe switch 44| is mounted on theconveyer 35 frame below thepan v5| and its arm projects 'through theopening 52. Normally this switch is nottripped but in case a load shouldfall from the car to the pan and be pushed along it will trip and openthe switch. This switch, being as 40 pointed out above, an essentialpart of the circuit just described which is closed by thel switch 445will obviously Vact whenvtripped to prevent the completion of thecircuit and thus collision between the elevator carriage and the droppedload.

4s The operator would note. this condition and stop Ithe conveyer toremedy it.

The car 25 `withfits load thereon advances to the unloading station 555at which the load is to be delivered. The upper dog is in the inopsoerative position as well as all the other dogs of the selective deviceelement 55, except the two tripped and set by the arms |5| (shown in`thedrawings as the third and fifth dogs below the upper dog). The elevatorcarriage 555 normally 5g occupies the position shown in full lines inFig. 23 with its load receiving platform slightly below the anged bars55 of the car 25'on which the load rests. Mounted in the well of .theunloading station are a pair of normally open switches 00 555 and 55|spaced to trip the two dogs assigned to that station. It will beunderstood that the switches 555 and 55| of each unloading station arediiferently spaced so that both are tripped only by the dogs 55 on a car25 having a load 55 destined therefor. Each unloading station is alsoprovided with solenoids 552 and 555 which are similar to the solenoids|55 previously described 'and which actuate tabs (not shown) to trip thelatches of the dogs 55 set for that station and 'l0 restore them totheir normal inoperative position.

When both the switches 555 and 55| are` tripped and closed, certaincircuits are completed to energize the relay 5|| of the magnetic 1|starter whereby the up switch 5| 5 is closed and the motor 521 causedtaraise the carriage from its normal intermediate position to its upperposition. The initial energizing circuit may be traced as follows: trunklead 525, branch lead 525, lead 525,-switch55|, 1eads521. 525, 525, 555,s' 55|, switch 55|, lead 552. switch 555, lead 555, switch 554, leads555, 555, relay 5| I, lead 551, normally closed switch 555, leads 555.545, 'trunk lead 52|. The switches 555 and 55| are only openedmomentarily and in'order to keep the switch 5|5 10 closed, a holdingcircuit is established to wit; trunk lead 525, branch lead 525, lead525, switch 55|, leads 521, 525, 525, 555, normally closed switch 54|,lead 542, switch 545, lead 544, bar 545 on switch 5|5, leads 545. 555,relay III, lead u 551, switch 5,55, leads 555, 545, trunk lead 55|.V

The carriage 555 removesthe load from the car and rises in the welluntllit trips the switch 54| breaking the relay circuit and stopping themotor 521. Should the switch 54| fail for any a0 `reasonto open thecarriage will continue to rise until it trips and opens the switch 555.l'lhe switch 545 is tripped and held 'closed by the carriage 555 initsupper position oi rest. The carriage'remains stationaryuntilthecarhaszsl left the station and a cam bar thereon has tripped andclosed the switch 555. Thereupon the down .switch 55|. ot the'motor line-is thrown by the energi'zingoftherelayloi'themagnetiestarter v and themotor 551 lowers the carriage. Thecira0 cuits by which the relay 552 isenergized may be traced as follows: trunk lead 525,.branch lead 525.lead 525, switch 55|, leads' 521, 525,- 525, 555. switch 545, solenoid554, switch 555, lead 555, energizing solenoids 552 and 555leads' 555,551, 55 relay 552, lead 555, normally closed switch 555, leads 555. 545,trunk lead 52|. vThe switch 55| when closed completes a holding circuitbypassing the switches 545 and 555 which remain closedonlysolongasthecarriage andcambar respectively are in contact therewith, to wit: trunklead 525, branch lead 525, lead 525, switch 55|, leads 521, 525,l 55|,bar 552, lead 551, relay 552, lead 555, switch 555, leads 555, 545,trunk lead 52|. When the carriage reachesthe bottom a of thewell ittrips and opens the switch 555 thus opening the circuit and stopping theY motor 521. A

Theloadon thecarriage isdepositeduponthe platform 555 opening one ormore of the noro mally closed switches 555, 555, 551. The load passes bygravity `overl the platform out of the well and after leaving the welltrips andclos the switch 555'whereupon the relay 5|| is again energizedto throw the up switch 5|5 and cause gg the motor 521 to raise thecarriage by completing the following circuit: trunk lead 525, branchlead 525, lead 525, switch 55|, leads 521, 515, switch 555, lead 51|,switch 555, lead 512. switch 551, lead 515, switch 555, leads 514, 555,555, relay su, lead u1, switch nl, leads In, su, trunk lead 52|. Theswitch 555 which is closed only solongasitistxipDedbyaloadisby-passedbya relay holding circuit completed by the throwing ofthe up switch 5|5,to wit: trunk lead 525, 55 branch lead 525, lead 525, switch 55|,leadsv521, 525, 5 25, 555, switch 54|, lead 542, switch 545,

vlead l, bal' 545. leads 545, 555, relay lll, lead 551, switch 555,leads 555, 545, trunk lead 52|. When tbe carriage555 arrives at itsnormal in- 10 termediate position, it trips and opens Vthe switch 545breaking the relay -eneg'ilingcircuit and stoppin! the carriage.

In order to prevent collision between a car 25 as it passes through anunloading lstation and 7g thecarriage 305.safety means similar to that.employed at the loading station are provided. In the drive circuit forthe overhead conveyer 25 are provided parallel normally closed switches515 and 516. The switch 515 is tripped by the carriage when above itsnormal intermediate position and the switch 516 is trippedby a cam baron each car 26 as it approachesgthe station. Should both switches 515and 516-be tripped and open at the same time, the drive circuit isbroken and the conveyor 25 stopped. When the switches 515 and 516 openthe drive circuit they form parts of a signal circuit which is completedby shifting the switch 35| to open the station circuit. Such signalcircuit may be traced as follows: lead 511, switch 516, lead 518, switch515,.lead 519, switch 35|, lead 588, through signal bulbs 58|.

The operator by closing up switch 352, or down lswitch 353 as well asstart switch 35| may cause the motor 321 to raise or lower the carriageindependent of the conveyer 25. When the switches 35| and 352 areclosed, the relay 5|| is energized to throw the up switch 5|8 and startmotor 321 through the completion of the following'circuit, trunk lead528, branch'525, lead 526, switch 35|, leads 521, 510, 582, 583, switch352, leads 584, 514, 535, 536, relay 5||, lead 531,i switch 538, leads539, 548, trunk lead 52|. Unless the switches 35| o r 352 is opened bythe operator the carriage continues its travel until it trips and opensthe switch 538. When the switches 35| and 353 are closed the relay 552is energized to throw the down switch -55| and start the motor 321through the completion of a circuit comprising trunk lead 528, branchlead 525, lead 526,

switch 35|, leads 521, 510, 582, 584, switch 353,

leads 585, 556,. 551, relay 552, lead 558, switch 559, leads 568, 548,trunk lead 52|. The carriage continues its descent until it 4trips and`opens switch 558.

Since the car 26 is now empty the upper dog 55 thereon must be set andthe station designating dogs restored to normal. 'Ihe'upper dog is setby means of a solenoid 554 indicated diagrammatically on Figs. 23 and24. The solenoid 554 is similar in construction and operation to thesolenoid |68 previously described and when energized actuates a tab(notshown) which trips and sets the upper dog as the car passes. vAsshown on Fig. 24 and previously described, the solenoid 5549.5 well asthe solenoids582 and 583 are energized upon the completion of theinitial down circuit by the tripping and closingof the switch 558. Thecar 26 with the upper dog 55 alone set, indicating that it'is empty, nowcontinues along its path of travel passing through the various loadingand unloading stations undisturbed until called upon at a loadingstation to.receive and transport another load.

I claim:

,1. In a conveyer system` including a load transporting car havingmounted thereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogs adapted to beset into operative position,a loading station and a plurality ofunloading stations, said loading station including a car loadingcarriage, means for actuating said carriage, a selective deviceindependent of said carriage and means'for causing said device to setcertain of the dogs on said car to indicate the unloading station towhich the load .supplied to the car by the carriage is destined and forcontrolling the operation of said.

carriage actuating means, said carriage when so actuated controlling theoperation of said means to cause the device to set dogs on the car.

2. In a conveyer'system including a load transporting car having mountedthereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogs adapted to be setinto operative-position, a loading station, a plurality of unloadingstations and means for advancing said car along a path of travel pastsaid stations, said loading station including a well, a carriage in saidwell, means for reciprocating said carriage in the well toward and fromthe path of travel of the car to deliver loads thereto, a selectivedevice independent of said carriage in cluding tabs by which the dogs onsaid car are set to indicate the unloading station to which the load tobe supplied to the car by the carriage is destined, means for actuatingsaid device and for causing said reciprocating means to advance thecarriage toward the pathvof travel of the car and means actuated by saidcarriage as it advances for controllingthe device causing function ofsaid means.

3. In a conveyer system including a load transporting car having mountedthereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogs adapted to be setinto operative position, a loading station, a plurality of unloadingstations and means for advancingl said car along a' path of travel pastsaid stations, said loading station including a well, a carriagein saidwell, means for reciprocating said carriage Ain the well toward and fromthe.

said reciprocating means to advance the carriage toward the path oftravel of the car, and means actuated by the carriage as it advances forpermitting said second device vto'actuate said rst device.

4. In a conveyer system including a load transporting car having mountedthereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogs adapted to be setinto operative position, a loading station, a plurality of unloadingstations and means for advancing said car along a path of travel pastsaid' stations, said loading station including a well, a carriage insaid well,*means for reciprocating said carriage in the welltowardandfrom the path of travel of the car to deliver `loads thereto, a,selective device independent of said carriage including tabs by whichthe dogs on said car are set to indicate the unloading ystation to whichthe load to be supplied to the car by the carriage is destined, andsolenoids by which said tabs are actuated, a second selective deviceincluding arms positioned by the operator, posts contacted by said armsto complete in part circuits to the desired solenoids, and a switchtripped by the carriage in its reciprocation toward the path ofA travelof the car to complete said circuits and energize said solenoids.

5. In a conveyer system including a load transporting car having mountedthereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogs adaptedgto beset intooperative position, a loading station, a plurality of unloading stationsand means for adincluding tabs by -which the dogs on said car are set toindicate the unloading station to which the loadtobe supplied te the carby the carriage is destined, and solenoids by which said tabs areactuated, a second selective device including arms- 'positioned by theoperator, posts contacted by said arms to complete in part circuitsthrough the desired solenoids, a switch closed by one of said arms whenmoved by the operator out of its normal inoperative position, and aswitch into operative position, a loading station, a plu-l rality ofunloading stations and means for advancing said carlalo'ng a path oftravel past said stations, said loading station including a well, acarriage in said wel1,means for reciprocating said carriage in the welltoward and from the path of 'travel of the car to deliver loads thereto,a selective device independent of said carriage including tabs by whichthe dogs on said car are set to indicate the unloading station to whichthe load'to be supplied to the car by the carriage is destined, andsolenoids by which said tabs are actuated, a second selective deviceincluding arms positioned by the operator, posts contacted by said armsto complete in part circuits through the desired solenoids, a switchclosed by one of said arms when moved by the operator out of its normalinoperative position, a switch tripped by the carriage in its movementtoward the path of travel of the car to complete said circuits and,

ergize said solenoids and a switch tripped by the carriage in itsmovement away from the path of travel of the car to cause the return ofsaid switch closing arm and permit the opening of the switch closedthereby.

7. In a conveyer system including a load transporting car having mountedthereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogs adapted to be setinto operative position, a loading station, a plurality of unloadingstations and means ior advancing said car along a path of travel pastsaid stations, said loading station including a well, a carriage in saidwell, means for reciprocating saidv carriage ,in the well toward andfrom the path of travel of the car to deliver loads thereto, a selectivedevice independent of said carriage including tabs by which the dogs onsaid car are set to indicate the unloading station to which the load tobe supplied to the car by the carriage is destined, and solenoids bywhich said tabs are actuated. a second selective device including armspositioned by the operator, posts contacted by said arms to complete inpart circuits through the desired solenoids, a switch closed by one o fsaid arms when moved by the operator out of its normal inoperativeposition, a switch tripped by the carriage in its movement toward thepath of travel of the car to complete said circuits and energir'e saidsolenoids and a switch tripped `by the carriage in its movement awayfrom the path of travel of the car to cause the return of said switchclosing arm .and permit the opening of the switch closed thereby, andmeans actuated by the car as it approaches the loading station whichcooperates with the switch closed by the arm to cause said carriagereciprocating means to advance the carriage toward the path of travel ofthe car.

.8. In a conveyer system including a load transporting car-'havingmounted thereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogs adapted to beset into operative position, a loading station, a plurality of unloadingstations and means for advancing said car along a path of travel pastsaid stations, said loading station including a well, a carriage in saidwell, means for reciprocating said carriage in the well towardand fromthe path of travel of the car to deliver loads thereto, a selectivedevice independent ot said carriage including tabs by which-the dogs onsaid car are set l to indicate the unloading'station to which the loadto be supplied to the car by the carriage is destined, and solenoids bywhich said tabs are actuated, a second selective device including armspositioned by the` operator, posts contacted by said arms to complete inpart circuits through the desired solenoids, a switch closed by one otsaid arms when moved bythe operator out ot its normal inoperativeposition, a switch tripped by the carriage in its movement toward thepath ot travel of the car to complete said circuits and `energize saidsolenoids and a switch tripped by the carriage in its movement away fromthe path ofl travel oi the car to cause the return of said switchclosing arm and permit the opening of the switch closed thereby. meansactuated by the car as it approaches the loading station which cooperatewith the switch closed by the arm to cause said carriage reciprocatingmeans to advance the carriage toward the path o! travel of the car andmeans actuated by the car as it leaves the loading station tov causesaid carriage reciprocating means tc move the carriage away from suchpath ci' travel.

9. In a conveyer system includingaload transporting car having mountedthereon a plurality of-destination-indicating dogs adapted to be setinto operative position, a loadingl station, a plurality ot unloadingstations and means for advancing said car along a path o! travel pastsaid stations, said loading station including a well, a carriage in saidwell, means for reciprocating said carriage in the well toward and fromthe path of travel ot the car to deliver loads thereto, a selectivedevice independent ot said carriage including tabs by which the dogs onsaid car are set to indicate the unloading station to which theloadtobesuppliedtothe carbythecarrlageis destined, and solenoids bywhich said tabs are actuated, a second selective device including armspositioned by the operator, means for holding the arms in suchpositions, posts contacted by said arms tocomplete in part circuitsthrough the desired solenoids, a switch closed by one of said arms whenmoved by the operator out ot its normal inoperative position, meansresisting such movement of the switch closing arm, a solenoid which whenenergized renders the arm holding means inoperative and permits themovement resisting means to restore the arm to its normal inoperativeposition and permit the switch closed thereby to open, a switch closedby-the carriage upon its upward movement to complete the circuits to andenergize the selected solenoid of the nrst device and a' switch closedby the carriage upon its downward movement to complete a circuit toand-energize the solenoid o! the second device.

l0. In a conveyer system including a plurality of load transporting carseach having mounted thereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogsand a dog which indicates the status of the car, saiddestination-indicating dogs being at a normal inoperative position whenthe car is empty and being adapted to be set independently intooperative position and said status dog being in one position when thecar is empty and in a different position when the car is lled, a loadingstation and a plurality of unloading stations,

means at said loading station for setting certain of thedestination-indicating dogs upon an empty car and for changing theposition of the status indicating dog and means at each unloadingstation for restoring to normal position the set dogs of the carcarrying a load destined thereto and for resetting the status indicatingdog thereon.

11. In a conveyer system including a plurality of load transporting carseach having mounted thereon a plurality of destination-indicating dogsand a dog which indicates the status of the car, saiddestination-indicating dogs being at a norma1 inoperative position whenthe car is .empty and beingl adapted to be set independently intooperative position and said status dog being in one position when thecar is empty and in a difl ferent position when the car is filled, aloading station and a plurality of unloading stations, the loadingstation including an elevator carriage by which loads are delivered tothe car, means for operating the carriage, means for setting certain ofthe destination-indicating dogs upon an empty car about to receive aload, means engaged by the status dog of such car for actuating saidcarriage operating means, and means for thereafter changing the positionof the status dos of such car and each unloading station including anelevator carriage by which loads are removed from the cars, means foroperating said carriage, means engaged by the set destination-indicatingdogs of a car carrying a load destined to this station for actuatingsaid carriage operating means and means for changing the position of thestatus dog of such car, and for restoring the set destination-indicatingdogs thereon to normal.

12. In a conveyer system including a plurality of load transportingcars, a loading station and a plurality of unloading stations, eachunloading station comprising a vertical well, an elevator carriageadapted to reciprocate in said well, means for actuating said carriage,said carriage normally taking a position intermediate the ends of thewell, means actuated by a car transporting a load destined for thatstation for causing said carriage actuating 'means to raise the carriageto the top of the well and remove the load `from the car and meansactuated by said car for causing said carriage actuating means to lowerthe carriage to the bottom of the well.

13. In a conveyer system including a plurality of load transportingcars, a loading station and a plurality of unloading stations, eachunloading station comprising a vertical well, an elevator y from thecar, means actuated by said car :for

causing said carriage actuating means tolower the carriage with the loadthereon to the bottom of the well, a platform to which such load isdelivered, and means actuated by the load upon leaving the well i'orcausing said carriage actuating means to raise the carriage to itsnormal intermediate position.

14. In a conveyer system including a load transporting car, a loadingstation and an unloading station, a movable status dog on said car whichindicates in one position that the car is empty and in another positionthat the car is loaded, said loading station including a car loadingcarriage, means for raising said carriage to supply a load to said carwhen empty, means actuated by the status dog in the position indicatingthat the car is empty, said last-named means permitting the operation ofthe firstnamed means, a normally inoperative trip at said loadingstation which is rendered operative by the first-named means to engageand move the dog into the position indicating that the car is loaded,and a trip at the unloading station which moves the dog into theposition indicating that the car is empty.

15.v In a conveyer system including a load transporting car, a loadingstation and an unloading station, a movable status dog on said car whichindicates in one position that the car is empty and in another positionthat the car is loaded, said loading station including a car loadingcarriage, means for raising said carriage to supply a load to said carwhen empty, means actuated by the status dog in the position indicatingthat the car is empty, said last-named means permitting the operation ofthe rstnamed means, a normally inoperative movable trip at said loadingstation which is moved by the load supplying means into operativeposition whereat it moves the dog on the car into the positionindicating that the car is loaded and a trip at the unloading stationwhich moves the dog into the position indicating that the car is empty.

16. In a conveyer system including a plurality of load transportingcars, and an unloading station, each said car including load supportingmeans on which the ends of the load rest, said unloading stationcomprising a vertical well, an

elevator carriage adapted to reciprocate in said well, means foractuating said carriage, said carriage normally taking a positionintermediate the ends of the well, and means actuated by a cartransporting a load destined for that station for causing said carriageactuating means to raise the carriage in the well until it engages theload and lifts it from the supporting means, to hold the carriage andload at the top of the well until the car has passed the station andthen to lower the carriage and load to the bottom of the well.

17. In a conveyer system including a plurality of load transportingcars, and an unloading station, each said car including load supportingmeans on which the ends of theload rest, said unloading stationcomprising a vertical well, an elevator carriage adapted to reciprocatein said well, said carriage normally taking a position in termediate theends of the well. and means-tor raising said carriage in the well untilit engages the load and lifts it from the supporting means to hold thecarriage and load at the top of the weil until the car has passed thestation and then to lower the carriage and load to the bottomJOHNIREGAN.

1 of the well.

